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Melbournes second Motorclassica builds on the inaugural events success

Wods d photogph Ben Dillon

Top show down undermotorclassica

From the moment Derek Bellrattled the 130-year-old leaded-light

windows o the Royal Exhibition Hallin Melbourne by revving the engineo his 1987 Le Mans-winning Porsche962, the second Motorclassica wasbound or glory.

Like any movie sequel, the pressureto better the original is a strongmotivational orce doubly so aerOctanerated last years inauguralMotorclassica as our World Evento the Year. And this years highlyanticipated event eatured a depth oquality and variety that surpassed thestandard set in 2011, with 110 carson show boasting a combined valueo more than AU$100 million

(65 million).Australian racing great Vern

Schuppan joined Derek Bell, alongwith 16,000 visitors who took in thediverse range o vehicles on display.

I think its amazing, Bell enthused.When you see the quality andpreparation o the cars itsastonishing. And this beautiulbuilding lends itsel perectly to it.

Australians have an anity withthe V8, and while Australian and USmuscle cars were on the menu, theoverall palate o Motorclassica was

a swirling blend o avours witha spread o iconic and intriguing

vehicles, rom the oldest Benz inAustralia an 1896 Benz Velo toone o only seven 1973 Chapron-builtCitron DS23 Pallas Prestige limos, anAlvis TB21 Roadster, Mercedes-Benz540K and 1973 Porsche 911RSR.

Away rom the static indoor display,Tour Classica saw 78 entrants startrom the Australia Grand Prix pitlaneat Albert Park and head intoMelbourne, mixing with modernmachinery and turning heads alonga 6.9km route to the Exhibition Hall.The sight o cars such as aLamborghini Miura SV, Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing and Facel Vega

going wheel to wheel with lunchtimetrac was a treat or spectatorsand drivers alike.

Motorclassica also saw theunveiling o the 1969 HoldenHurricane concept a car largely

Motorclassicacategory Winners

Bs i sw1927 Bentley Speed Six

Aiqu, va ad edwadia1908 Isotta-Fraschini FENC 10hp

semi-racer

eupa ad Biis viag1926 Delage DISS boat-tail tourer

Aica viag ad p-wa1940 Ford Deluxe Convertible

eupa ad Biis p-wa1933 Hispano-SuizaHS26 Junior Cabriolet

eupa ad Biisps-wa classic

1961 Mercedes-Benz190SL Roadster

Aica ps-wa classic1958 Chrysler 300D Coupe

md eupa ad Biis1973 Citron DS Pallas Prestige

The sight o Lmboghii Mi SV,Mecedes-Bez 300SL Gllwig dFcel Veg goig wheel to wheel withlchtime tfc ws tet o specttos

orgotten by both the companyand motoring public resh rom a

three-year restoration, having notseen the light o day or nearly 40years. The Bonhams auction housewas on site with an impressive arrayo collectables, bikes and cars orsale, highlights o which includedan ex-Australian Government 1967Rolls-Royce Phantom V by HJMulliner Park Ward and a gorgeousLancia Aurelia B20GT, which soldor $159,000 (103,000).

The coveted Best in Show awardwent to Gary McMillan or his BentleySpeed Six, frst delivered to Oswald JSyme (son o publishing giant DavidSyme) in November 1927, ftted with

a Mulliner saloon body on a standard12 chassis. The Bentley wasupgraded over six years to Speed Sixspecifcations and now wears replicaVanden Plas-style Le Mansbodywork.

21-23october

Melbourne,Australia